The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1887-11-02

s014UoL1e NAo11 CCOIA0Oe w C1
Choteau county, and a very capable teach
er, accepted the charge of this little school
for the summer months Miss Johnstone
attended the institute two days. The
board of directors are Messrs. Heydt,
Johnstone and Fox; clert-, Mr. c. FL. Bris-
toll
DISTRICT NO. 17-LoWER HIGHwooD.
A new distrct-The school room is fur
nished by one Of the trustees. Total num-
Der of pupils enrolled, Z; average daily at
tendance g. Grade Of school, primary and
intermediate. Mr.. Kelley, a competent
teacher is in charge. He attended the in
stitute three days. The school officers
are Mr.. n. Shepherd clerk, Messrs. J. NJ.
Arnoux, L. W. Peck and Jas. Lewis, trus-
tees.
DISTRICT NO. 18-TETON.
A new district-Board of directors are
Mr.. John Stocking clerk, Messrs. Fallon,
Neubert and Hayes. trustees. No school
building has been erected, but a room was
furnished by Mr.. B. L. Powers. Number
of school days taught, 60; total number of
pupils enrolled, IA; average daily atten-
dance, Z. Grade of school, primary and
intermediate. The teacher, Mr. B. L.
Powers, attended the institute one day.
REMARKS
Much might be said Of many of the
] taacharc in Nhotoan county NOT ayac+l1J
favorable to ears concerned. For instance:
l found among many other imperfections,
a want of energy, lack of school disci-
pline and a want Of proper knowledge for
the teaching of primary scholars. was
much annoyed in these special cases, very
untidy in their person and slovenly in
dress. [ remember in one of my school
visits, entered the school room very un-
expectedly after 9 a. m. and found the
teacher having a romp with the scholars
in dirty, untidy room. The floor looked
to me as if it had not been swept for days.
That tercher was receiving a good salary,
and was considered by some very excel
lent instructor Of the charge committed
to his care. Was he a good instructor?
Was he conscientious? / soon found out
The school was of mixed grade, and not
one single lesson had been prepared by
the teacher was evidently seen by the con-
strained manner in which he applied his
questions. The pupils here were not
many in number, but they were each and
every one bright and interesting looking
boys and girls, just such class of scholars
as live teacher would delight to instruct.
Their teacher held good certificate and
no doubt passed good examination, but
teaching was not in any sense Of the word
his forte. [ have been especially pleased
with some Of my school visits, finding
teachers glad to welcome me, and not at
all afraid to give their ideas and methods
of teaching in free and educated manner,
showing that they are, and have been,
keeping, pace with the ideas of the day,
Every teacher should take and read an
educational paper. Subscribe for paper
because someone else does, just for a show!
Take good paper and read and digest
what is found in it that will assist and
improve the mind. [ do not wish to con-
vey to the reader that all the teachers
who did not attend the teachers institute
are incompetent On the contrary; some
of them I am happy to say are most thor
oughly capable for the positions which
they hold, and would have been of great
assistance to us in our institute work if
they deemed it desirable to attend. To
say that am displeased with them only
family expresses my feelings in the mat
ter.
The school houses I find, with but two
exceptions, very comfortable. It is to be
deplored that in our country districts the
school term is SO short Three months is
but very short period in year for pu-
pill to acquire but very meagre knowledge
[ find the majority Of the children in the
county are bright and quick to learn if
they have proper instruction.
The school officers Many Of them are
not fitted for the responsible positions
which they hold. They mean we'll enough
but through rush of business or careless
ness they neglect the school and their du-
ty towards it, often thinking if they hire a
good teacher that is all that is requisite.
Yes, but even a good teacher needs en-
oouragement. Frequent visits to the
school and kindly suggestions show that
an interest is taken; and have a wonder
.ul effect on the spirits of both teacher
md pupil.
The majority of the school district clerks
we're prompt last year in returning school
census reports to the county superinten-
lent. There were, however. three or four
Who were very late. I wish it fully un-